Automobile self-lift elevator



7 Filed Sept. 10, 1954 c BRUMBY v 2,796,952

AUTOMOBILE SELF-LIFT ELEVATOR June 25, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheei l 3 FIG.

THIRD FL 00/? F4001? zuv: or azmrak SECOND/200A mnomrok INVENTOR.

June 25, 1957 a P. BRUMBY AUTOMOBILE SELF-LIFT ELEVATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10, 1954 INVENTOR. 6

Ill-l June 25, 1957 c. P. BRUMBY 2,7 AUTOMOBILE SELF-LIFTELEVATOR Filed Sept. 10, i954 A 5 She ets-Sheet 4 INVENTO United States Patent 6 AUTOMOBEE SELF-LIFT ELEVATOR Clarence P. Brnmby, Glendale, Calif.

Application September 10, 1954, Serial No. 455,218

7 Claims. (Cl. 187--8.56)

This invention relates to elevators and has particular relation to devices for controlling and facilitating the elevating and descending movements of automobile carrying elevators. To this end, the invention consists in the combination hereinafter fully described and reference is invited to the accompanying drawings in which preferred forms of the invention are illustrated. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a substantially corresponding side elevational view of the device;

Fig. 3 is like Fig. 1, showing more clearly the device of Fig. 1 on a larger scale and showing details of the elevator platform controlling mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a fractional elevational view further illustrating portions of the platform elevating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the lower portion of the mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the upper portion of the device taken at right angles to Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing motor connection of the device;

Fig. 8 is a detail view of a guard rail of the device;

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 show details of the motor connections of Fig. 7;

Figs. 12 and 13 are enlarged views of details of the platform elevating mechanism;

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate the auto traction wheel controlled elevating mechanism of the invention;

Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate the platform guiding means of the device; and

Figs. 19,. 2.0, 21 and 22 show manually operable means for controlling the starting and stopping movements. of the elevator.

The device of the invention in the form illustrated in the drawing, includes a three-story framing supported by four tubular columns 14. These columns are set in the ground to form a rectangular structure of a size to receive vided with rollers 88 riding in vertically directed tracks 87 of theframing, substantially as indicated in Figs. 17 and 18. This platform is framed by lengthwise and crosswise directed l-beams to reinforce the platform, as best shown in Fig. 3. Shafts 18, are seated for rotation in the lengthwise directed beams of the platform and drums 23 are rigidly mounted on these shafts. AS. best indicated in Figs. 3 and 14, these shafts and the. drums thereon are spaced apart sufficiently to form seats for the traction wheels A of an automobile which has been moved on to the platform. Once the car has been correctly placed on the platform, the motor of the car may be started to rotate the traction wheels and in rotating the drums to elevate the platform in the manner which will now be described. 7

The mechanisms by means of which the platform is elevated are placed outside the platform at both sides thereof and as both mechanisms may be exactly alike, description of one will pertain equally to the other.

A sprocket wheel 25 is mounted on each end of shaft 18 and each wheel is by a chain connected to drive a sprocket wheel 26 of an intermediate shaft 19 to the ends of which bevel pinions 27 are secured. Each pinion is in permanent mesh with a bevel gear 28' of a stub shaft 85 which, through a train of speed reducing sprocket wheels and chains 29-34, see Fig. 12, is connected to rotate a shaft 83 on which a torque tube 84 is rigidly mounted. Chains 13 extend from the platform over sprockets 35, 36 at each end of the shaft 83 and the 'upper ends of the chains are secured to the beams 9, 10 at the upper ends of the columns. It should be clear frotnthis description that rotation of the traction wheels of the car will impart rotation to the sprockets 35 at each side of the framing through the chains 13 to move the platform vertically.

Sheaves 16 are mounted for rotation on the upper end surface of the columns to receive wire ropes 15, see also Fig. 2. The outer ends of these ropes are at the bottom thereof at 76 shown adjustably secured to brackets of the platform, as indicated in Fig. 13. To the inner ends of the ropes are secured platform counter-balancing weights 17, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 6. When such counter-weights are employed, it is seen that the automobile is merely required to lift its own weight. The counter-weights will lift the platform.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 15, it isseen that the upper surface of the platform at the places 67 where the front wheels of the car come to rest is made somewhat corrugated and this is donemore securely to maintain the car in position on the platform during rotations of the traction wheels to move the platform, but other suitable anchoring means may be substituted if found "advisable. Means should also be provided to, prevent car from backing ofi the platform when first moved into position thereon and such means is in Fig. 14 shown to include a guard 6t) which is pivotally mounted on the platform. A rod 61 is pivotally hung on the guard and 'it extends downward into a cross-beam of the platform.

A spring 62 maintains this guard in its elevated position. The wheels of the car will depress the guard in moving onto the platform but when it is required to back the car out of the platform it becomes necessary to depress the guard by stepping on it. There may be more than one rod and spring if necessary. The framing is in Fig. 1 shown set against a wall B of the building, but where no such wall is provided or where no wall is present and it is required on the upper floors to move the car off the platform forwardly, it may be advisable also to place a guard at the forward end thereof. Means must be provided for checking the movement of the platform at the floor where a car is to be parked or from which it is to be removed and such means is in Figs.

3, 19, 20- and 21 shown to include a brake drum 21 which is rigidly mounted on the shaft 18 and a brake band 22 extends from a bracket of a platform crossbeam. A lever 39 is at 39 shown pivotally mounted on a bracket 39* of the platform and it extends upwardly therefrom a distance. A rod 38 connects the lever with the brake band 22. A control rod 40 is shown pivotally connected to the upper end of this. lever, from which, it Xtends forwardly to a second lever 42, which latter is shown pivotally mounted on a stub shaft 47 of the platform. An arm 44 is secured to this shaft and it extends upwardly in parallel relation to the lever 42 to support at the upper end thereof a sliding bar 45. A locking element 46 is mounted on the end of the bar 45 and the forward edge of the element is shown grooved to engage studs e of the column 1.

The control rod 40 is horizontally extended at the proper distance above the platform for the driver of the car to reach out of the car window to push the rod forwardly, in moving to tighten the brake band and to cause the locking element to engage the studs e of the column to lock the platform in position as indicated in Figs. 192l. It will be clear to automobile drivers that it would be very difficult to stop the platform in exactly the right position. Nor is such correct positioning necessary since the wheels of the car will ride over the adjacent edges of the platform and floor even when somewhat out of line. It merely becomes necessary to permit the locking element 46 to adjust itself to such variations and it is for this purpose in Fig. 21 shown mounted on the sliding bar 45 for slight oscillating movement. This may be done by pivotally securing the element on the bar at a and seating a stud and sleeve b, c of the bar in an elongated perforation of thereof. The element will, when so mounted, adjust itself to minor variations in stopping positions. A resilient pawl 43 is in Fig. 20 shown mounted on the lever 42 in position to engage the edge of a transverse beam 86 of the platform to lock the lever in advanced position and so to maintain the brake actuated to lock the platform in position. A cord 41 extends from the outer end of the pawl 43 through eyelets 48 of the control rod 40 to the lever 39. The driver or an attendant on the platform merely needs to pull on this cord to flex the pawl and so to lift the end of the pawl above the beam 86 to release the lever and brake for movement of the platform.

It is above stated that counter-weights are provided to over-balance the weight of the platform and all the mechanism connected therewith. It is in view of this necessary to provide means for moving the platform downward. Such means is in Figs. 7-11 shown to include a motor 73 which through suitable speed reduction mechanism and by means of a cable 79 passing over pulleys 80, 81 is at 78 connected to move the platform 11 downwardly. The driving pulley 74 of the motor is mounted for rotation on a sleeve 65 of the shaft 64 and pawls 66 are in Fig. shown seated in recesses of the shaft sleeve to engage notches of the pulley to impart the rotation required for downward movement of the platform. On the upward movement of the platform, the pawls are free to yield to permit the pulley to rotate idly in the opposite direction. Conductors should be extended from the motor to a push button switch on the platform within easy reach of the attendant but as such devices are commonly used, it is not thought necessary to burden the description or complicating the drawing with illustrations thereof.

In devices of the type herein described it is necessary, for the protection of the public, to instal normally closed gates 57 at each upper floor. But as such gates and control of the gates is well known and commonly used it is notthough necessary to burden the description with a detailed explanation thereof.

When it is time to move the platform, it is merely required for the attendant or the driver within the car to lower the gate whereupon spring-held pawls 56 engage the bottom edge of the gate to lock the gate in lowered position, as best shown in Fig. 20. The control rod 40 may now he moved by the operator to release the platform for movement and at the same time through suitable connections 5055 to move the pawl 56, against the tension of its spring, to release the gate for upward movement.

It is seen from the foregoing description that I have provided an elevator mechanism which at all times may be controlled and operated by an attendant on the platform or the driver of an automobile on the platform. But while I have above described and in the drawings illustrated a device capable of such complete platform control it will be understood that modifications of arrangements, forms and proportions may be embodied without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. In a multiple floor garage, a rectangular elevator framing having tubular columns at the four corners thereof, beams interconnecting the upper ends of the columns lengthwise and crosswise, a platform mounted for vertical movement within the framing, pulleys at the top of the columns, ropes extending from the corners of the platform over said pulleys, counterweights slidable within the columns and secured to the ends of the ropes to overbalance the weight of the platform, crosswise shafts in the platform, .two drums rigidly mounted on each shaft, the drums being transversely spaced apart to receive the traction wheels of an automobile moving onto the platform, the longitudinal distance between the drums of the two shafts being suflicien-t to form arcuate cradles for the traction wheels, brake drums on one of the shafts, brake bands on the drums, operating connections for said bands within reach of the driver within the automobile, a train of speed reducing gears, said train of gears extending from the shafts at both ends thereof, torque tubes extending from the gears to the other end of the platform, pulleys on the ends of the tubes, and ropes extending from the pulleys to the beams at the top of the columns, rotation of the traction wheels by the automobile motor imparting rotation to the drums through the speed reduction gears to elevate the platform.

2. A device of the type set forth in claim 1 in which motor driven means is provided for downward return movement of the platform, said means being actuated by the automobile driver on the platform or in the automobile.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the brake means operable by the automobile driver correctly to stop the platform at any floor includes elements for locking the brake means in set position.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 in which the brake 'setting means includes members positioned to engage stops on the columns to lock the platform in correct position at any floor.

5. A device as set forth in claim 3 in which the brake means includes a control rod horizontally mounted on the platform within easy reach of the driver within the automobile, .a brake drum, a connection from the rod to the brake band on the drum, and an element for locking the rod and brake band in set position.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 including means extending along and from the control rod for withdrawing the locking element to release the platform for vertical movement.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which stops are mounted on the platform at the front and rear ends thereof, the rear end stop being depressible by the wheels of the automobile on the forward movement thereof onto the platform and manually depressi-ble for rearward movement of the automobile away from the platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

